A large mansion just on the bottom of the Alps, perpetually covered in snow and ice. Some travelers use this place as a respite from the harsh environment, although many who come here swear there are signs of someone living here, even though supposedly no one has inhabited the place for years. It doesn't look terribly different from what one would expect of a manor. Clearly, someone of a high stature owned the place...

Ilya's spell finishes, her magic directing itself onto Cardiner's sword as the creature stumbles backwards towards him thanks to the combination of the locusts and the burning knife.. He briefly holds the sword to his chest before pointing it at the creature and leaping forward, stabbing it perfectly through the middle of the 'X' and passing right through it. The creature stands frozen for a few moments as the room temperature drops briefly... Suddenly, it lets out a piercing scream; or rather, a scream as if it were pierced, as it feels the agony of freezing cold icicles stabbing it from all directions. Its chains rattle violently, and it suddenly explodes in a blast of cold air, a glowing glass shard floating where it once stood.

The shard gently floats down towards the ground, and there doesn't seem to be any sign of any more dark miasma going around. Miyuki tentatively approaches and lets the shard float down into her hands. She no longer sensed danger.

"Now we can finally be at peace." He continues, glancing toward Miyuki. "Best take care of that thing they put in here, lass. Make sure it's stored safely, wherever you may be taking it. And one last thing, if I may impose..." He hands her a folded slip of paper. "Should you ever cross paths with my son, would you be so kind as to deliver this to him? It shouldn't be very difficult to identify him on appearance alone, you'll see." Miyuki glances at the paper and back at him before she nods. "Understood. I'll keep an eye out for a young Mr..."

"William is his name. Now do take care, all of you!" Ilya waves them all off before suddenly being greeted by her husband's hand. "Milady... Do you care for one final dance?" "Oh, Augustus... I'd be delighted..." She takes his hand as the two quickly embrace and begin to spin, their moonlit dance in the ballroom as elegant as if a battle hadn't occurred only moments before.

The group can almost hear ballroom music playing in the wind, and Miyuki's eyes widen as she witnesses the ethereal pair dance until they vanish completely. Although their lives were claimed from them in battle, they managed to save what was truly important in the end...

Yoren cleans the blood from his sword and sweeps from the room. Or staggers. Like a drunk. He spits out a curse in an unidentifiable language and holds onto the wall as he leaves to keep from collapsing.

_________________"Don’t do what you can’t undo, until you’ve considered what you can’t do once you’ve done it.”